MARGATE, FL, USA
N4857P
PIPER PA-23-250
WHILE DESCENDING TO LAND BOTH ENGINES FAILED DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT FOR A FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A LIGHT POLE THEN THE GROUND AND CAME TO REST ADJACENT TO A HOUSE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE FUEL SELECTORS WERE POSITIONED TO THE INBOARD TANKS WHICH CONTAINED LESS THAN A TOTAL OF 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL. THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTBOARD FUEL TANKS CONTAINED 9 AND 13 GALLONS RESPECTIVELY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT MOVE THE FUEL SELECTORS DURING THE FLIGHT.
On April 16, 1994, about 1323 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N4857P, registered to Aero Flight Service, Inc., was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a residential area about 2 miles northwest of the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Margate, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida, about 1225. About 2 minutes after the initial contact with the Fort Lauderdale Executive Tower the pilot advised the tower of engine trouble (right engine) and requested a straight in approach to runway 13. The tower controller approved the request. At that time the flight was descending through 1900 feet. The tower controller asked the pilot in part to state fuel status and the pilot replied minimum fuel. About 4 minutes after the pilot first reported an engine malfunction the pilot advised that the flight was going in. During the emergency descent the left wing adjacent to the outboard fuel tank collided with a light pole about 9 feet from the base. The airplane then collided with the ground and came to rest adjacent to a house in a residential area. There was no post crash fire. Examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed that the left wing outboard fuel tank was separated and leaking fuel. The tank was drained which revealed that it contained about 9 gallons of fuel. The right wing outboard fuel tank which was intact was drained which revealed that it contained about 13 gallons of fuel. Both inboard fuel tanks were drained which revealed that they contained less than 1/2 gallon of fuel total. The fuel selectors were positioned to their respective inboard tanks and according to the pilot had not been moved during the flight.
FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO POSITION THE FUEL SELECTORS TO THE FULLEST TANK BEFORE LANDING RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM BOTH ENGINES DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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